96 THE "BLEATING" SNIPE 



vations on this point, is convinced in his own 

 mind that the " drumming " emanates from 

 the wings of the bird, and not from the tail, as 

 is often maintained. But as the snipe is 

 usually high up in the air when this perform- 

 ance occurs, it would be rash to make any 

 definite assertion. However, when closely 

 following the bird in its course with field- 

 glasses, it will be noticed that, as the sound is 

 heard, the snipe is seen to dip earthwards, 

 almost in a falUng position, with wings 

 spread, though somewhat retracted ; at the 

 same time the wings quiver, not from muscular 

 action, for, at the moment, they are stationary 

 and rigid, but from the force of air-pressure 

 which is driven through the primary wing- 

 feathers, the result being that the " primaries," 

 stiff and resilient as steel, flutter and so cause 

 the " bleating " sound we hear. 



Now, on the other hand, the tail feathers of 

 a snipe are extremely weak, and therefore 

 would hardly respond to such treatment. The 

 point, however, will probably remain a matter 

 of individual opinion, as it is unlikely we shall 

 ever get nearer the " bleating " bird than has 

 already been achieved. Nor is it of real import- 

 ance ; sufficient that we can hear the sound and 

 know it to be produced instrumentally and not 

 vocally. 



